Holding on to our traditions

Taking a well-deserved break after hosting three successful county fleadhs is the Belturbet Comhaltas Committee.

The members are passionate about promoting Irish culture and traditions in the area, hosting the event in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to show off our town,” said Ann Gronan.

This year's event took place on the June Bank Holiday weekend, and deemed a shining success due to the work of the entire community and the fabulous weather that graced the county.

“We have a wonderful Comhaltas committee who are really multi-talented and, with them, we were able to create something very special, a really special fleadh,” said Ann.

Former member, Patria McCaffrey, who sadly passed away last February, wasn't far from committee members' thoughts over the weekend.

Described as “a really energetic member” of Belturbet Comhaltas, Ann said her presence was felt in the traditional cheer around the town.

“We felt that she sent us the good weather and all the good things that happened. She was definitely helping us along!”

The main street of Belturbet was lined with traditional shops and businesses for the weekend, for example the Teach Traidisiúnta (traditional house), Cistín Maggie Mór (a traditional kitchen), Oifig and Fleadh (fleadh office) and the Pop-Up Ghaeltacht.

The theme for this year’s fleadh was traditional homemade bread, with butter and jam making demonstrations taking place in the Cistín Maggie Mór.

“There’s nothing more substantial than bread butter and jam if you’re hungry at all.

“There’s nothing more wholesome,” Ann said, adding that “it was delicious".

Maggie Mór was the bean an tí (woman of the house) for the weekend, of which there were two; one for Friday and Saturday and another for Sunday. They took on the persona of the traditional Irish housekeeper from long ago, dressing up in an apron and headscarf and serving bread butter and jam to those who entered, not forgetting to make conversation along the way.

“Both Maggie Mórs were very versatile, they were great chatterboxes and they welcomed everybody into the Cistín,” Ann praised, adding that they were “very good characters".

The town was immersed in Irish culture for the weekend, with Circle Comhrá’s, traditional music sessions, singing, competitions, and live music.

Particularly memorable for Ann was watching the Under 10 children take part in the tin whistle competition. Over one hundred young people played a tune and received a medal and an ice-cream voucher for their efforts.

“They loved that,” she said.

“They went up and played their little tune and it was really to encourage them."

Involved in Comhaltas since she was a child, the Monaghan woman emphasised the importance of holding on to our traditions.

“Our world has become very cosmopolitan - there are people from all over the globe, even in Belturbet we have them from every part of the world.

“It’s nice to have our culture still thriving and surviving but at the same time respecting and incorporating other cultures and their talents,” she said, emphasising that new cultures have “enriched our community".

A new town will get the opportunity to host the Cavan County Fleadh next year and they have a big task to follow in the footsteps of Belturbet.

Ann and the Belturbet committee wish them well. “We have enjoyed doing it and we feel that it has energised the musicians in Belturbet.”

While there may not be a fleadh to organise in 2024, there is still plenty to keep Belturbet CCE members busy though music, song and dance.

For example, they will host traditional music, singing and speaking classes in St Bricin’s College, which will commence again in Autumn. Those interested in attending can contact the committee through their Facebook page.